Method and apparatus for attaching a cover to a wheel of a truck

ABSTRACT

A retainer retains a wheel cover to the portion of the studs retaining a wheel to the hub of an axle, which extends beyond the lug nuts. The retainer has a metal retainer body with a planar upper and lower surface and a long end. Two arcuate portions are spaced along the long end and the metal body is beveled in the vicinity of the arcuate portions so that the arcuate portions will engage the threaded portions extending beyond the lug nuts for two adjacent studs.

The present invention relates to a method of installing a decorativewheel cover to the front and rear wheels of a truck and, in particular,to a method which does not require the removal of the lug nuts retainingthe wheel to the hub of the axle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A truck is a very functional piece of equipment and the manufacturers oftrucks subordinate the physical appearance of the truck to function.Truck manufacturers, therefore, do not provide wheel covers to improvethe aesthetic qualities of the wheels of the trucks they manufacture andaccordingly truck wheels are not manufactured with attachment points towhich a wheel cover can be retained. Wheel covers and wheel liners,which attractively cover the functional portions of a truck wheel,therefore, must attach to functional portions of the wheel. One methodcommonly used for attaching a wheel cover is to provide a plurality ofconnectors which fit under the lug nuts which retain the wheel to theaxle of the truck.

Laws regulating truck traffic differ from state to state, but in manystates the truck wheels must be inspected for cracks emanating fromaround the lug nuts. Where a wheel cover is attached using a retainerfitted under a lug nut, the lug nut cannot be removed without the use ofspecial air operated tools. Where such retainers are used, therefore, atruck subject to inspection must be directed off road to a site wherethe needed equipment is available and the lug nuts retaining theconnectors removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention is embodied in a wheel cover and aretainer for retaining the wheel cover to the wheel of a vehicle wherethe vehicle has a hub with a plurality of identical threaded studsequally spaced around the center of the hub. The wheel has a pluralityof holes therein positioned for receiving the studs and is retainedagainst the hub by lug nuts threaded on the portion of the studsextending through the holes in the wheel.

In accordance with the invention, at least some of the lug nuts have aportion of the threading thereon extending beyond the lug nuts. Thethreads which spiral around the body of the lug nut have a crest whichdefines a cylindrical outer surface and have a valley between the crestswhich define an inner surface.

To retain a cover to the distal ends of the threaded studs extendingbeyond the lug nuts a first and second retaining members are provided.The first retaining member has a locking side having a first arcuateportion and a second arcuate portion spaced a distance from the firstarcuate portion. Each of the first and second arcuate portions define acircle having a radius that is less than the diameter of the cylinderdefined by the crests of the threads and greater than the diameter ofthe cylinder defined by the valleys of the threads of the studs. Thecenters of the circles defined by the first and second arcuate portionsare spaced a distance from each other equal to the distance between thecenters of adjacent studs.

The first retainer member is preferably made of metal and has upper andlower planar surfaces defining a thickness. In the proximity of thefirst arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion the thickness ofthe metal is beveled with the ends having a thickness that is less thanthe distance between the crests of the threads of the studs such thatthe first and second arcuate portions will engage the portion of thethreads extending beyond the lug nuts of a first and a second adjacentstuds.

The second retainer member is also made of metal with upper and lowersurfaces and has a locking side positioned against the locking side ofthe first retainer member. The locking side of the second retainermember also has third and fourth arcuate portions, the inner edges ofwhich define circles identical to the circles defined by the inner edgesof the first and second arcuate portions of the first retainer member.The arcuate portions of the second retainer member also have bevelswhich reduce the thicknesses therefore in the proximity of the arcuateportions. The thickness of the beveled arcuate portions is less than thedistance between adjacent crests of the threads such that the third andfourth arcuate portions of the second retainer member are complementaryin shape to the first and second arcuate portions of the first retainermember and will engage between the threads of two adjacent studs engagedby the first retainer member.

The first and second retainer members are adjustably held together withthe arcuate portions thereof fitted around the threaded distal ends ofstuds by any suitable means, such as a threaded bolt. The first retainermember further has a threaded hole therein for receiving a boltextending through the cover for thereby connecting the cover to thefirst retainer method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better and more complete understanding of the present invention willbe had after a reading of the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a truck wheel with the parts forassembling the cover to the wheel in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a second isometric view of a wheel with the attachment of thepresent invention attached thereto prior to assembly of the cover;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector of the present invention,including the first and second connector members ready for assembly totwo adjacent studs of a wheel;

FIG. 4 is an end view elevational of the first and second connectormembers assembled to each other as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first connector member depictedin FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the second connector memberdepicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged partially cross sectional view of thefirst and second connector members assembled around the distal end of athreaded stud;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the connector of thepresent invention, showing the first and second connector members readyfor assembly to two studs of a wheel;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the connector shown in FIG. 8 inassembled relationship without showing the studs; and

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view showing the first and secondconnector members as shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the present invention is an attachmentfor attaching a wheel cover 10 across the outer surface of a truck wheel12. The truck wheel 12 is mounted on a hub, the central portion 14 ofwhich extends through a central opening in the wheel 10 and the hub hasa plurality of parallel extending equally spaced threaded studs 16—16surrounding the central portion 14 thereof. The wheel 10 has a centralopening, not identified, through which the central portions 14 of thehub extend and a plurality of spaced holes, one of which 18 is shown inFIG. 7, for receiving the studs 16—16. Threaded on each of the studs16—16 is a lug nut 20—20.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the length of the studs 16—16 is such that athreaded portion 22 thereof extends outward beyond the associated lugnut 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a pair of spaced connectors 24 inaccordance with the present invention are provided to retain the cover10 to the treaded portion 22 of the studs 16,′ 16″.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 7, each connector 24 has a first generalplanar connector member 26 and second complementary generally planarconnector member 28 which are retained in assembled relationship arounda pair adjacent studs 16′, 16″. The first connector member 26 ispreferably made of steel plate having first and second opposing planarsurfaces 30, 32 and an elongate side 34. Positioned at opposite ends ofthe elongate side 34 are first and second arcuate portions 36, 38. Asbest shown in FIG. 3 and 7, the arcuate portions 36, 38 are segments ofa circle having radius R3 where R3 is less than the maximum diameter R1of the studs 16 as defined by the spiral wrap of the crest of thethreads thereon, and greater than the minimum diameter R2 of the studs20 as defined by the spiral wrap of the valley between adjacent wraps ofthe threads. The centers defined by the arcuate portions 36, 38 arespaced a distance 40 which is equal to the distance between adjacentstuds 16—16 of the hub. The metal in the immediate proximity of thearcuate portions 36, 38 is beveled at 42, 44 as best shown in FIG. 7such that the edge of the arcuate portions 36, 38 fit between adjacentwraps of the crest of threads of the studs of which only stud 16′ isvisible.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the first connector member 26 has anelongate threaded nut 46 welded to the planar surface 30 and orientedsuch that the axis thereof is parallel to the surface 30 andperpendicular to the elongated side 34. The first connector portion 26also has a transverse threaded hole 48 positioned generally equaldistance from the first and second arcuate portions 36, 38 and extendingperpendicular to the surfaces 30, 32 thereof. To improve the quality ofthe threads, the threaded hole may be in the form of a nut 50 welded tothe surface 30 of the first connector member 26. Depending on theconfiguration needed to retain the wheel cover 10 to the wheel 12, thethreaded hole 48 and nut 50 may be positioned on the portion of thefirst connector 26 having an offset 52 as needed.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the second connector 28 is also made ofmetal with planar surfaces 54, 56 and has an elongate side 58. Theelongate side 58 has third and fourth arcuate portions 60, 62 each ofwhich is a segment of a circle having a radius R4 equal to the radius R3defined by arcuate portions 36, 38 of the first connector member 26.Like the first connector 26, the centers of the circles defined by thearcuate portions 60, 62 are spaced a distance equal of the distancebetween the center of adjacent studs 16′, 16″. The arcuate portions 60,62 further have beveled portions 64, 66 similar to the bevels 42, 44 ofarcuate portions 36, 38.

Welded to the surface 54 of the second connector member 28 is a tubularretainer 68 the axis of which is parallel to the surfaces 54, 56 andperpendicular to the elongate side 58. The tubular retainer further hasan inner diameter sized to slideably retain an elongate bolt 70. Theshaft of the elongate bolt 70 extends through the tubular retainer 68and is threaded into the elongated threaded nut 46 on the firstconnector member 26 to retain the first and second connector members 26,28 to each other with the surface 30 of the first connector member 26substantially parallel to the surface 54 of the second connector member28 and the surface 32 of the first connector member substantiallyparallel to the surface 56 of the second connector member 28.

Referring to FIGS., 3, 4 and 7, the first and second connector members26, 28 are fitted on opposite sides of adjacent studs 16′, 16″ witharcuate portions 26, 60 fitted around stud 16′ and arcuate portions 28,62 fitted around stud 16.″ The beveled edges of the arcuate portions 26,28, 60, 62 thereof are wedged between adjacent wraps of the crest of thethreads, as best shown in FIG. 7, and are held in place by thetightening of bolt 70 into the elongate threaded nut 46. When the firstand second connector members 26, 28 are tightened together with thebeveled edges of the arcuate portions 36, 38, 60, 62 wedged betweenadjacent wraps of the crest of the threads of studs 16′ and 16″ theconnector 24 will be locked to the studs such that it cannot be removedtherefrom without damaging the threads thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first connector 24 is attached to a firstpair of studs 16—16 and second connector 24 is attached to a second pairof studs 16—16 on the opposite side of the wheel 12. The cover 10 has apair of spaced holes 72, 74 through which are inserted Phillips screws76, 78. The distal ends of the screws 76, 78 are threaded into thethreaded hole 48 and nut 50 of the two connectors 24 to retain the coverto the wheel 12.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 a second embodiment of a connector 80 isdepicted in which members like those of the first embodiment 24 bearlike indicia numbers except they are primed. This second embodiment 80has first and second connector members 26,′ 28′ which are retained inassembled relationship around a pair of studs 16′″ and 16″″. Theconnector members 26′, 28′ are made of steel plate and have elongatesides 34′, 58′ respectively. The first connector member 26′ has firstand second arcuate portions 36′, 38′ which define circles with a radiusR3′ where R3′ is less than R1 and greater than R2 and the secondconnector member 28′ has arcuate portions 60′, 62′ which define circleswith a radius R4′ where R4′ is again less than R1 and greater than R2.

In this embodiment, the second connector member 28′ has first and secondelongate threaded nuts 82, 84 welded to the surface 54′ thereof with theaxis of the nuts 82, 84 parallel to the planar surfaces 54′, 56′ of thesecond connector member 28′ and perpendicular to the long side 58′.Similarly, the first connector member 26′ has first and second spacedelongate tubular retainer sleeves 86, 88 welded to the surface 30′. Thesleeves 86, 88 have an inner diameter a little larger than the diameterof bolts 90, 92 which are received within the nuts 82, 84 and the axesof the sleeves 86, 88 are perpendicular to the surfaces of the planarsurfaces 30′, 32′ of first connector member 26′ and perpendicular to thelong side 34′.

The first and second sleeves 86, 88 are spaced a distance apart equal tothe spacings of the threaded nuts 82, 84 and are positioned such thatwhen bolts 90, 92 are extended through the sleeves 86, 88 and threadedinto the nuts 82, 84 the arcuate portions of 36′, 38′ of the firstconnector member 26′ will be opposing the arcuate portion 60′, 62′ ofthe second connector member 28′. The metal in the proximity of thearcuate portions have bevels 42′, 44′, 64, 66′ such that the bevelportions will engage between adjacent wraps of the crest of the threadsof studs and will be retained thereon when the bolts 90, 92 aretightened into their respective nuts 82, 84.

In this embodiment, the first connector member 26′ includes an extensionportion 94 which extends perpendicular to the planar surfaces 30′, 32′thereof to an outer connector end 96, the outer connector end 96 beingparallel to the surfaces 30′, 32′ but spaced therefrom the distance ofthe connector portion 94. An outwardly extending thread bolt 98 iswelded to the connector end 96 with the threads of the bolt 98 orientedfor passing through a complementary hole in a wheel cover, not shown, tobe attached thereto with a wing nut, not shown, or the like forretaining the wheel cover to a wheel.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a singleembodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications andvariations may be made without departing from the true spirit and scopeof the invention. It is, therefore, the intent of the appendent claimsto cover all such modifications and variations which fall within thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A cover for covering a central portion of a wheel ofa vehicle, said vehicle having a hub surrounded by a plurality ofparallel spaced studs, said wheel having a web with a plurality of holestherein for receiving said studs and a lug nut threaded on each of saidstuds to retain said wheel to said hub, wherein a portion of saidthreading of one of said studs extends beyond said lug nut, saidthreading having a spiral crest and an adjacent spiral valley, saidcover comprising, an outer cover, a retainer body, means on saidretainer body for wedging in said valley between two adjacent wraps ofsaid crest of said threading of one of said studs for retaining saidretainer body to said stud, and means for retaining said outer cover tosaid retainer body.
 2. A retainer for attaching a wheel cover to a wheelof a vehicle, said vehicle having a hub with a plurality of parallelstuds, each of said studs having threads and having a center, a fixedspacing between said centers of adjacent ones of said studs, the crestof the threads on said studs defining a cylindrical surface with a firstradius R1, the valley between crests of said threads defining a secondcylindrical surface having a radius of R2, said wheel having a web witha plurality of holes for receiving said studs and a lug nut threaded oneach of said studs for retaining said wheel to said hub, wherein aportion of said threading on two of said studs extend beyond said lugnut, said retainer comprising a first retainer member and a secondretainer member, said first retainer member having a side having a firstarcuate portion and second arcuate portion, said first and secondarcuate portions having a thickness less than the distance betweenadjacent wraps of said crest of said threads of said studs, said firstarcuate portion spaced from said second arcuate portion a distancewherein said first arcuate portion is engageable between adjacent wrapsof said crest of said threading of a first stud while said secondarcuate portion is engageable between adjacent wraps of said crest ofsaid threading of a second stud, and said second retainer member havinga means for retaining said first and second arcuate portions inengagement between adjacent wraps of said crest of said threadings ofsaid first and second studs.
 3. A retainer in accordance with claim 2wherein said first and second arcuate portions define circles having aradius R3 which is less than R1 and greater than R2.
 4. A retainer inaccordance with claim 2 wherein said second retainer member has a sidehaving a third arcuate portion and a fourth arcuate portion, said thirdand fourth arcuate portions having a thickness less than the distancebetween adjacent wraps of said crest of said threads of said studswherein said third and fourth arcuate portions are complementary to saidfirst and second arcuate portions and are engageable adjacent wraps ofsaid threading of said first and second studs.
 5. A retainer inaccordance with claim 4 wherein said third and fourth arcuate portionsdefine circles having a radius R4 which is less than R1 and greater thanR2.
 6. A retainer for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel in accordancewith claim 2 wherein said first and second arcuate portions are beveledwith the beveled edges thereof having thicknesses less than the spacebetween adjacent wraps of said crest of threads of said studs.
 7. Aretainer for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel in accordance with claim2 where said first retainer member is connected to said second retainermember by a threaded bolt.
 8. A retainer for retaining a covering over acentral portion of a wheel of a vehicle, said vehicle having a hubsurrounded by a plurality of parallel spaced studs, said studs havingthreading, said wheel having a web with a plurality of holes therein forreceiving said studs and a lug nut threaded on each of said studs toretain said wheel to said hub, wherein a portion of said threading ofone of said studs extends beyond said lug nut, said threading having aspiral crest and an adjacent spiral valley, said retainer having theimprovement comprising means for wedging in said valley between twoadjacent wraps of said crest of said threading of one of said studs forretaining said covering to said vehicle.